Double homicide suspect held to answer to charges

Tuesday

Dec 11, 2012 at 10:22 AMDec 11, 2012 at 10:33 AM

By Ami RidlingDaily News staff writer

YREKA – Emotions were strong last Thursday in the Siskiyou County Superior Court when family members of the two men who were fatally shot in Scott Valley on June 30 attended the preliminary hearing for the alleged gunman, Earl Richard Stanfield.

Following the hearing, which was held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to hold Stanfield to answer to the charges, Superior Court Judge Karen Dixon ruled that the charges against Stanfield will be upheld.

Stanfield, 56, of Yreka, is charged with two counts of murder and one count of malicious discharge of a firearm from a vehicle. He faces a special allegation for the intentional discharge of a firearm that resulted in great bodily injury and a special circumstance for committing multiple murders.

Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) officials who conducted the homicide investigation testified at the hearing that the incident occurred at a party outside of Fort Jones on Indian Creek Road.

Based on interviews with witnesses, deputies testified that Stanfield, who was reportedly intoxicated, had been involved in altercations with several individuals at the party.

Stanfield allegedly left the Scott Valley party on his motorcycle, traveled to Yreka to pick up his firearm, and drove back to the party in his truck. At that time, Stanfield allegedly shot Fort Jones resident Darrell Henderling, 52, and Yreka resident Ronald Minard, 29, in the chest area.

The friends and family members of the victims reportedly restrained Stanfield until authorities arrived at the scene. Both victims were pronounced dead when rescue personnel responded.

Stanfield’s public defender Lael Kayfetz pointed out witnesses told officials that her client had been in several altercations that night, and he had been “badly beaten.” She said Stanfield was “disoriented” and confused.”

Siskiyou County District Attorney Kirk Andrus said,” There is no affirmative offense and The People have proven to our burden that this was not a case of self defense.”

Ultimately, Dixon ruled that Stanfield will be held to answer to the charges. She ordered for him to continue to be held in the Siskiyou County Jail without bail and she scheduled him to reappear in court on Dec. 18 for further proceedings.

According to Andrus, if Stanfield is convicted of the charges, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.